Physical Therapy for ACL Prevention

Clinicians, coaches, parents and athletes should support implementation of exercise-based knee injury prevention programs. Training should occur multiple times per week, with sessions lasting longer than 20 minutes. These exercise-based knee injury prevention programs should be initiated in the pre-season and continued through the regular season. High compliance with the program needs to be ensured, particularly in female athletes due to their higher rates of ACL tears. Programs should include:

• Dynamic warm-up
• Strength training (core, hip and thigh)
• Technique training (jumping, cutting)
• Plyometrics
• Proprioceptive training

Form and technique throughout these programs are very important and therefore should be led by a trained professional. 

Rear-foot elevated split squat strengthening exercise with added weight. If you do not belong to a gym or have weights at home, simply use a household object or family member.